Philippine Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes and his Malaysian counterpart Najib Tun Razak today downplayed tensions between the two countries over accusations of ill-treatment of Filipino deportees.

Reyes, who arrived late yesterday with aides of President Gloria Arroyo and military officers, said his visit was to reaffirm good relations between the neighbours.

"There is this issue of the deportees, and so we felt that this is as good as any time to visit," he told reporters after holding talks with Najib.

Reyes, who is the highest ranking official to visit Malaysia since the deportees' issue blew up last month, said both countries had maintained good relations and welcomed the move by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad to call for a full investigation into the allegations.